NSW: Easter lunch stolen by hungry thieves

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2000
NSW: Easter lunch stolen by hungry thieves

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - An elderly woman had her faith in Easter restored today - after
her Meals on Wheels lunch was stolen by callous thieves.

Police helped spread Easter cheer, coming to the aid of the distressed 90-year-old
who had her charity lunch stolen from outside her home at Ashfield, in Sydney's inner-west,
early today.

An Ashfield Police spokesman said the woman had been asleep when her meal was dropped
off by the Meals on Wheels charity.

"(Later) she heard some people outside, and when she went to check, her meal was gone,"

the police spokesman said.

"She was quite distressed."

Police rang the Exodus Foundation, which was serving Easter lunch to Sydney's poor
and needy, and delivered a hot replacement meal to her door.

Reverend Bill Crews said the woman received meat pies, fruit salad, an Easter bun and
chocolate Easter eggs.

He said the Christian Exodus Foundation had worked with members of the Jewish Temple
Emanuel Woollahra, to serve Easter meals to more than 200 people today.

By Anzac Day, he estimated the organisations would have served 1,000 meals over the
holiday break.

"It has been huge," Reverend Crews said.

"We have been extremely busy because nothing is open over Easter."

Elsewhere across the state, thousands packed churches and cathedrals to mark the special day.

Earlier, one of Australia's largest churches, the Wesley Mission, held a 7am (AEST)
sunrise service to celebrate the rising of Jesus from the grave.

Hundreds attended the early service at the Sydney Opera House, which was broadcast
around Australia.

In the afternoon, donkeys led colourful Christian marches around the country, symbolising
the new life of Easter.

AAP km/lw/

KEYWORD: EASTER NSW

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